Portable optical-fiber processing equipment

ABSTRACT

A portable optical fiber processing apparatus is disclosed. The portable optical fiber processing apparatus of the present invention includes a base ( 1 ), which provides a space in which components are installed, and a sheathing stripping unit ( 10 ), which is provided on the base and strips sheathing from an optical fiber (R). The apparatus further includes an optical fiber cutting unit ( 40 ), which is provided on the base and cuts a portion of the optical fiber, from which the sheathing has been stripped, using a sliding cutter ( 43 ) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber, and a welding unit ( 50 ), which is provided on the base and welds junction portions of two optical fibers. The present invention is characterized in that a process of stripping sheathing from an optical fiber and cutting, cleaning and welding processes can be conducted using a single apparatus.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to portable optical fiberprocessing apparatuses and, more particularly, to a portable opticalfiber processing apparatus, which is constructed such that a process ofstripping sheathing, which covers an optical fiber, and processes ofcutting, cleaning and welding the stripped portion of the optical fibercan be conducted using a single apparatus, thus making it possible toconveniently and rapidly conduct work required at an optical cableinstallation site.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, optical fiber processing apparatuses are used even in limitedand poor surroundings, such as on telegraph poles and in manholes, aswell as being used on level ground. In such surroundings, in the case ofa conventional optical fiber connection process, a sheathing strippingprocess, a cleaning process, a cutting process, a welding process and asleeve fitting process are consecutively conducted using differentrespective devices. For conducting the above-mentioned processes, astripping device, a cleaning device, a cutting device and a weldingdevice must be individually stored and carried, thus being inconvenientto a worker. For example, when conducting work on a telegraph pole, theworker, who climbs up the telegraph pole, conducts a desired processusing a related device and, thereafter, he/she must pull another deviceout after having placed the previous device in its initial position. Assuch, in the conventional art, the worker must conduct work in poorconditions.

To solve the above-mentioned problem, the object of the presentinvention is to develop a portable optical fiber processing apparatus,which has a structure such that several combined processes can beconducted using only a single apparatus which can be conveniently storedand carried.

As well known to those skilled in the art, an optical fiber is astrand-shaped wave guide tube for the transmission of light.Furthermore, several strands of optical fibers constitute an opticalcable, and such an optical cable has been widely used. Such an opticalfiber includes a core, which is placed at the central portion thereof,and cladding, which covers the core, thus forming a double cylindricalstructure. This cylindrical fiber is covered with double or triplesheathing made of synthetic resin.

The optical fiber prevents interference and jamming from being caused byoutside electromagnetic waves and prevents wiretapping. Furthermore, theoptical fiber is small and light and is resistant to bending. As well, asingle optical fiber can support a plurality of communication lines andis resistant to changes in external conditions. Therefore, opticalfibers are widely used.

To manufacture a device using a single-core or multicore optical fiberor to weld two together, the optical fiber, which is typically coveredwith sheathing, must undergo a process of stripping the sheathing and aprocess of cleaning and cutting the optical fiber. The two processedoptical fibers must then undergo a welding process.

However, in the conventional arts, when conducting these processes,because the processes must be conducted using respective devices orthrough manual work, the work is inconvenient to the user and, as well,time is wasted. In addition, when there is only a small amount of work,there is no particular problem, but when there is a large amount ofwork, there is a problem of reduced work efficiency.

In an effort to overcome the above-mentioned problems of inconvenientwork, an apparatus, which has a structure such that several processes,of stripping sheathing from an optical fiber and cleaning, cutting andwelding the optical fiber, can be conducted using only the apparatus,was proposed in Korean Patent Application No. 2004-24067 (entitled:Optical Fiber Welding and Splicing Apparatus Having Heating Chamber forReinforcing Welded Part of Optical Fiber, and, hereinafter, referred asa prior invention), which was filed by the inventor of the presentinvention.

In the prior invention, a process of stripping sheathing from an opticalfiber and of cleaning it is conducted using hot blast. Thereafter, theoptical fiber is cut to a desired length. Two cut optical fibers arewelded at a junction therebetween, and a process of fitting a sleeve onthe welded optical fibers is conducted in a heating chamber. As such,the prior invention is constructed such that the optical fiber can beprocessed through combined processes.

In the prior invention having a structure making it possible to conductcombined processes, there is an advantage in that the work efficiency ofthe process is maximized. However, because a large amount of heat isrequired, there is a disadvantage in that a separate generator and highvoltage are required. Therefore, it is difficult to apply the priorinvention to cable network construction. Furthermore, because sheathingof an optical fiber has a different characteristic, that is, a differenttemperature, at which the sheathing must be removed, depending on themanufacturing company, a problem occurs in which the sheathing is notremovable. In addition, the process of stripping the sheathing from andcleaning the optical fiber using hot blast cannot be applied to aprocess of stripping sheathing from a multicore optical fiber, whichincludes several optical fibers, and cleaning it. That is, the processusing hot blast is limitedly used in an apparatus of processing only asingle-core optical fiber.

Meanwhile, an optical fiber processing apparatus to be used in afactory, in which a device for stripping sheathing from optical fibersand devices for cleaning and cutting the optical fibers are integratedand automated for mass production, was proposed in U.S. Pat. No.2002-64354. However, this optical fiber processing apparatus has acomplex structure and a relatively large size, and incurs highmanufacturing costs. As well, because apparatus required to be portable,for example, a sealing apparatus, are not sufficiently portable, it isnot appropriate to use them at an optical cable installation site, suchas work in a manhole or on a telegraph pole.

Here, the number of optical fibers of the multicore optical fiber isdetermined depending on the kind and amount of optical data to betransmitted. In order to manufacture the multicore optical fiber, adesired number of optical fibers is arranged, and the arranged opticalfibers are processed by a coating process, thus forming multilayersheathing. Because the external shape of this multicore optical fiberhas a band shape, it is called a “ribbon”.

In the present invention, a blade body of a cutting blade is made ofsynthetic diamond having high stiffness, so that the durability of thecutting blade is enhanced. Thereby, inconvenience due to replacement ofthe cutting blade is minimized and maintenance cost is reduced.Furthermore, the amount of synthetic diamond required for manufacturingthe cutting blade is minimized, so that manufacturing costs are reduced.

Meanwhile, in the conventional arts, a process of cutting an opticalfiber has been conducted manually. Recently, an optical fiber cuttingdevice, which supports an optical fiber on a main body and cuts thefastened optical fiber using a cutting blade, was developed.

In the conventional optical fiber cutting device, because a cuttingblade, which contacts, cuts, and scratches an optical fiber, is made ofmaterial having insufficient stiffness, there is a problem of lowdurability. For example, in the case that the cutting blade is made ofmetal, the cutting blade is easily worn and damaged by repeated cuttingwork, so that the cutting blade must be frequently and periodicallyreplaced with a new one. Even if the cutting blade is made of cementedcarbide alloy having relatively high stiffness, it must be replaced witha new one after about 20000 to 30000 cuts have been made (a process ofcutting one strand of optical fiber is regarded as one cut). Therefore,the conventional optical fiber cutting device has a disadvantage ofinconvenience in maintenance and repairing. Furthermore, due thereto, asecondary problem, in which work time is increased, is induced.

Moreover, the conventional optical fiber cutting device has noconstruction for collecting a cut part of an optical fiber (hereinafter,referred as an optical fiber chip). Therefore, optical fiber chips aredirectly discarded at a construction site, thus resulting inenvironmental pollution. As well, because the optical fiber chips aresprayed when being cut at a construction site, the worker's body may beinjured by the chips.

In the present invention, because an optical fiber chip, which iscreated when cutting the optical fiber at a construction site, isautomatically collected through the manipulation of closing a cover,that is, through a single manipulation, it is environment-friendly, theuser's body is prevented from being injured by chips, and the opticalfiber processing operation is more convenient for the user.

Furthermore, in the conventional optical fiber processing apparatus,there is a problem in that the replacement and work of maintaining andrepairing parts of the apparatus must be conducted at a manufacturingfacility but not at a construction site, after the apparatus has beencarried to the manufacturing facility. As well, because the conventionaloptical fiber processing apparatus is a machine having severalcomponents, which are precisely assembled together, the above-mentionedproblem is more severe.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The single-core optical fiber has a disadvantage in that a high voltageis required, and has a problem in that it is difficult to strip thesheathing therefrom. In the case of the ribbon optical fiber, because aprocess of stripping the sheathing therefrom and processes of cleaningand cutting it cannot be conducted using the prior invention, everyprocess must be conducted using a separate device.

As such, in the conventional art, because several separate devices arerequired, if the worker must conduct work at several construction sites,the weight of several devices burdens the worker. Furthermore, for everyprocessing operation, because the worker must conduct the operationafter selecting the related device, there are problems in that it isvery inconvenient and work time is increased.

Particularly, in the cleaning process of the conventional art, theportion of the optical fiber from which the sheathing is removed ismanually cleaned using absorbent cotton, on which cleaning water such asalcohol is sprayed. In this case, the outer surface of the optical fibermay be scratched by absorbent cotton or by the hand holding theabsorbent cotton. As well, because a gap between optical fibers, whichare arranged in several rows, is very narrow, residue from the sheathingremains in the gap so that the residue may not be removed.

To solve this problem, a method of cleaning an optical fiber using anultrasonic cleaning device was proposed. However, in the case of theultrasonic cleaning device, a separate container, which containertherein cleaning water for cleaning the optical fiber, is required.Therefore, due to the inconvenience of carrying cleaning water, which isliquid, there is a problem in that it is difficult to realize a combinedprocessing apparatus that includes the ultrasonic cleaning device.

Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned apparatus, to strip the sheathing froman optical fiber, to clean and cut the optical fiber, a process ofheating the sheathing, a process of generating ultrasonic waves and aprocess of cutting the optical fiber are conducted. Here, theseprocesses causes problems in that, because each device, which conductseach process, requires a separate control unit, the overall process iscomplicated, and the devices are expensive, so that the costs ofmanufacturing the products are increased.

In the present invention, a cutting blade, which contacts an opticalfiber, is made of material having high hardness, so that the durabilityof the apparatus is increased and, as well, inconvenience due toreplacement of the cutting blade is minimized and maintenance costs arereduced. Furthermore, the amount of synthetic diamond required formanufacturing the cutting blade is minimized, so that manufacturingcosts are reduced.

Furthermore, in the optical process apparatus of the present invention,optical fiber chips, which are created when cutting the optical fiber ata construction site, are automatically collected by the manipulation ofclosing a cover, that is, through a single manipulation, so that it theprocess is environment-friendly, the user's body is prevented from beinginjured by the chips, and the optical fiber processing operation is moreconvenient for the user.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind theabove problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the presentinvention is to provide a portable optical fiber processing apparatus,in which a process of stripping sheathing from an optical fiber andcutting and welding processes are integrally conducted, and cleaning andsleeve fitting processes are conducted using a single apparatus.

Advantageous Effects

In the present invention, a process of stripping sheathing from anoptical fiber and processes of cutting, cleaning and welding thestripped portion of the optical fiber can be conducted using a singleapparatus, thus realizing lightness of the apparatus, and making itpossible to conveniently conduct work, thereby increasing productivity.

Furthermore, the optical fiber processing apparatus of the presentinvention is portable. As well, because optical fiber chips, which aregenerated when cutting the optical fiber at a construction site, areautomatically collected by the manipulation of closing a cover, that is,through a single manipulation, working convenience is increased, anenvironment-friendly work environment can be promoted, and the user'sbody is prevented from being injured by the optical fiber chips.

In addition, electric control of the optical fiber sheathing strippingprocess and the cleaning and welding processes is continuously conductedin the single apparatus, so that continuity of the processes ispromoted, the processes can be conveniently conducted, and the componentcosts of the apparatus are reduced.

Moreover, in the present invention, a blade body of a cutting blade ismade of synthetic diamond having high stiffness, so that the durabilityof the cutting blade is enhanced. Thereby, inconvenience due toreplacement of the cutting blade is minimized and the maintenance costis reduced.

Furthermore, in the present invention, because electric control of theoptical fiber sheathing stripping process and the cleaning and weldingprocesses is continuously conducted in the single apparatus, a problemof inconvenience in work is solved, and costs of manufacturing theproduct are reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a portable optical fiber processingapparatus, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheathing stripping unit of theportable optical fiber processing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the sheathing strippingunit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing the state of an optical fiberseated in the sheathing stripping unit of the portable optical fiberprocessing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing an ultrasonic cleaning unitof the portable optical fiber processing apparatus according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing the ultrasonic cleaningunit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing the ultrasonic cleaning unit ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing an optical fiber cuttingunit of the portable optical fiber processing apparatus according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view showing another example of theoptical fiber cutting unit used in the portable optical fiber processingapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view showing the optical fiber cuttingunit of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a compression support unit anda chip collection drive unit constituting the optical fiber cuttingunit;

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of the optical fiber cutting unitincluding the compression support unit and the chip collection driveunit of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the compression support unit ofFIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the chip collection drive unitof the optical fiber cutting unit;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the external shape of a cuttingblade according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the cutting blade of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the cutting blade of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the cuttingblade;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a welding unit of the portableoptical fiber processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a sleeve processing unit provided in thewelding unit of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a control unit used in the portableoptical fiber processing apparatus according to the present invention;and

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the portableoptical fiber processing apparatus according to the present invention.

BEST MODE

The present invention provides a portable optical fiber processingapparatus, including: a base, providing a space in which components forprocessing an optical fiber are installed; a sheathing stripping unitprovided on the base, holding the optical fiber such that an end of theoptical fiber protrudes a predetermined length therefrom, and strippingsheathing from the optical fiber using a heating motion method, in whichthe protruding end of the optical fiber is heated and moved while beingheld by a stripping tool, or using an unheated motion method, in whichthe protruding end of the optical fiber is moved without being heated;an optical fiber cutting unit provided on the base, holding the opticalfiber, and cutting a portion of the optical fiber, from which thesheathing is stripped, using a sliding cutter in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber; and awelding unit provided on the base so that a pair of optical fibers maybe placed at opposite sides such that ends of the optical fibers faceand contact each other, so as to weld junction portions of the opticalfibers using an arc generated by a welding device of the welding unit.The above-mentioned units may be selectively and integrally provided onthe base.

The present invention may further include a cleaning unit, which isprovided on the base to remove sheathing residue from a portion of theoptical fiber, from which the sheathing has been stripped, usingcleaning water contained in a container.

Furthermore, the present invention may further include a sleeveprocessing unit, which is provided in the welding unit. In the sleeveprocessing unit, a contraction sleeve is fitted over the welded portionof the optical fiber and is heated, thus protecting the welded portionof the optical fiber.

In the present invention, the cleaning unit includes: a main bodyprovided on the base; the container provided in the main body,generating ultrasonic waves, and being open at an upper end thereof suchthat the portion of the optical fiber, from which the sheathing has beenstripped, is immersed in the cleaning water contained in the container;a mounting cover coupled to the open upper end of the container to coveran opening of the container and allowing the optical fiber to beinserted into the container therethrough; a lid removably coupled to themounting cover to close a portion of the mounting cover, through whichthe optical fiber is inserted; and a sealing member provided at each ofthe junctions between the container and the mounting cover and betweenthe mounting cover and the lid. Furthermore, the cutting unit may beconstructed such that a cut optical fiber chip is inserted into a chipcollection container through a gear and roller, which are operated inconjunction with the cover of the optical fiber cutting unit.

The present invention may further include a control unit, whichelectrically connects the sheathing stripping unit, the cleaning unitand the welding unit together, so that the control unit electricallycontrols a heating operation for conducting the sheathing strippingprocess and the sleeve fitting process, the power supply for generatingultrasonic waves, temperature regulation, and the frequency ofultrasonic waves.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention having theabove-mentioned construction will be described in detail with referenceto the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a portable optical fiber processingapparatus, according to the present invention.

The portable optical fiber processing apparatus basically includes abase 1, a sheathing stripping unit 10, an ultrasonic cleaning unit 30and an optical fiber cutting unit 40. A welding unit 50 and a controlunit 60 are additionally provided on the base 1.

The base 1 is configured to have a plate shape and a box shape having anopen upper end and provides therein a space in which components forprocessing an optical fiber (R) are installed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheathing stripping unit of theportable optical fiber processing apparatus of the present invention.FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the sheathing strippingunit of FIG. 2.

The sheathing stripping unit 10, a main body 11 of which is fastened tothe base 1, includes a holder 12, which is provided on an upper part ofthe main body 11 so as to be slidable on the main body 11 and hold theoptical fiber (R), a removal unit 13, which removes an end of theoptical fiber (R) held by the holder 12, and a sliding means, whichmoves the holder 12 to remove the sheathing from the optical fiber (R).

Here, to realize the slidable structure, the holder 12 has a structuresuch that a slide block 15 thereof is movably coupled to a rail 16provided on the main body 11. A cover 17, which holds and supports theoptical fiber (R), is hinged to the slide block 15.

To fasten the optical fiber (R) to the holder 12, the optical fiber (R)is clamped by a fiber holder 3. The fiber holder 3 has a well knownconstruction in which the optical fiber (R) is placed on a fiber holderblock and is locked by a fiber holder cover.

The removal unit 13 includes a protruding support body 18, whichprotrudes from the main body 11, and a stripping cover 19, which iscoupled to the protruding support body 18 by a hinge. Furthermore, astripping means 20, which strips the sheathing from the optical fiber(R), is provided on the protruding support body 18 and the strippingcover 19 at predetermined positions, at which the optical fiber (R) isdisposed between the protruding support body 18 and the stripping cover19.

The stripping means 20 includes heating blocks 21 and stripping tools 22which are provided on the protruding support body 18 and the strippingcover 19. The heating blocks 21 contact upper and lower surfaces of theoptical fiber (R) and heat the sheathing of the optical fiber (R). Thestripping tools 22 serve to strip the heated sheathing from the opticalfiber (R) and include protrusions 23, which are respectively provided onfacing surfaces of the protruding support body 18 and the strippingcover 19 so as to be in surface contact with each other, and strippingblades 24, which are provided in the respective protrusions 23 and faceeach other.

Here, the heating blocks 21 are heating elements, which receive powerunder the control of the control unit 60, which will be explained laterherein, and generate heat. For convenience in manufacturing, both of theheating blocks 21, which are provided on the protruding support body 18and the stripping cover 19, may be heating elements or, alternatively,only one of them may be a heating element. Furthermore, a constructionmay be devised such that, when it is not necessary to heat the opticalfiber (R), that is, in the case that the optical fiber (R) is movedwithout being heated (in the case that a medial portion of the opticalfiber is stripped), neither heating block 21 is heated. In this case,the heating blocks 21 serve as guides, which guide the optical fiber(R).

As such, in the present invention, as a method of stripping thesheathing from the optical fiber (R), both a heating motion manner andan unheated motion manner can be used. Here, the heating motion mannermeans that the optical fiber (R) is heated and moved before beingstripped. The unheated motion manner means that the optical fiber (R) ismoved and stripped without being heated.

Particularly, when it is desirable to strip a medial portion of theoptical fiber, it is preferable that the sheathing be stripped from theoptical fiber without being heated. In the present invention, becausethe process of stripping the sheathing from the optical fiber may beconducted in the unheated motion manner, the above-mentioned purpose canbe achieved.

Meanwhile, the sliding means serves to slide the holder 12 on the mainbody 11, such that, when the holder 12 slides, the stripping blades 24interfere with the sheathing of the optical fiber (R), which has beenheated by the heating blocks 21, and which is thus stripped.

The sliding means includes a lever 14, which is hinged at an end thereofto the main body 11 so as to be rotatable around a hinge point.Furthermore, in the sliding means, a slot 14 a is formed in the lever 14at a position spaced apart from the hinge point by a predetermineddistance (a preset distance to ensure the sliding movement of the sliderby rotation of the lever). A coupling pin 14 b, which protrudes from theholder 12, is slidably inserted into the slot 14 a.

Furthermore, a sensor 18 a, which detects whether part of the strippingcover 19 contacts the protruding support body 18 when the protrudingsupport body 18 is covered with the stripping cover 19 after the opticalfiber (R) has been placed, is provided in the protruding support body18. The sensor 18 a is connected to the control unit 60, which will beexplained later herein, so that the control unit 60 calculates the timeduring which the sheathing of the optical fiber is heated by the heatingblocks 21 using the sensor 18 a.

That is, the control unit 60 measures the heating time using the sensor18 a and determines and indicates the time to strip the sheathing fromthe optical fiber.

Meanwhile, another embodiment of the sliding means, which moves theholder, will be described herein below.

The other embodiment of the sliding means, which moves the holder 12,has a structure such that the holder 12 is movable along the rail 16 ofthe main body 11 by a motor (not shown). Although it is not shown in thedrawings, the motor is installed in the main body 11, and a screw (notshown), which is coupled to the output shaft of the motor, is connectedto the slide block 15 of the holder 12 such that they are operated inconjunction with each other. Then, the holder 12 can be moved by themotor. As well, the distance that the holder 12 is moved can be set andadjusted by construction such that the motor is controlled by thecontrol unit 60, which will be explained later herein.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing the state of the opticalfiber seated in the sheathing stripping unit of the portable opticalfiber processing apparatus according to the present invention.

When the protrusions 23 come into contact with each other, the strippingblades 24 must be spaced apart from each other by a predetermineddistance. For this, the junction parts of each protrusion 23 mustprotrude further than the stripping blade 24. Due to this construction,the junction parts of the protrusions 23 serve as stoppers, whichprevent the stripping blades 24 from contacting the cladding of theoptical fiber (R) when stripping the sheathing from the optical fiber(R). Due to this construction, the distance between the stripping bladesof the protrusions is greater than the diameter of the cladding layer ofthe optical fiber, so that the range of depth to which the strippingblades 24 can be inserted into the optical fiber (R) is limited to thesheathing layer (C) of the optical fiber (R).

Furthermore, it is preferable that each stripping blade 24 have an edge,which is inclined at a predetermined angle and is thus configured suchthat the edge which contacts the optical fiber (R) is sharp. Althoughnot shown in the drawings, the stripping blade 24 may have a steppedstructure in place of the inclined structure.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the protrusions 23 come intocontact with each other, a rectangular space is defined between thestripping blades. The reason for this is that the junction parts of theprotrusions protrude further than the stripping blades and the edges ofthe blades are linear.

A preferred range of the distance between the stripping blades 24, whichare spaced apart from each other, is presented in detail below.

When the distance between the stripping blades is L, the thickness ofthe optical fiber including the sheathing layer is l₁, and the thicknessof the optical fiber not including the sheathing layer is l₂,

it is preferable that the distance L between the stripping blades 24 bewithin a range of l₂≦L≦l₂+(l₁−l₂)/3.

Due to this construction, in a process of stripping the sheathing fromthe optical fiber, the holder 12 can reliably support the optical fiber(R) without moving it, and the stripping blades 24 are limitedlyinserted into the optical fiber (R) to the depth only of the sheathinglayer (C) of the optical fiber (R). In this process, when the holder 12is moved, the sheathing is easily stripped from the optical fiber (R).In detail, due to the junction parts of the protrusions 23 serving asthe stoppers, only the core and cladding of the optical fiber (R) can beplaced in the space defined between the stripping blades 24. Therefore,when the holder 12 slides, the stripping blades 24 strip only thesheathing layer from the optical fiber (R) without damaging the core andcladding of the optical fiber (R), that is, without cracking orscratching the core and cladding of the optical fiber (R).

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the ultrasonic cleaning unit. FIG. 5 is aperspective view showing the ultrasonic cleaning unit of the portableoptical fiber processing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is asectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning unit shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7is a plan view of the ultrasonic cleaning unit shown in FIG. 5.

The ultrasonic cleaning unit 30 generates ultrasonic waves in acontainer which contains therein cleaning water. Thus, when the strippedpart of the optical fiber (R) is immersed in the cleaning water,sheathing residue is removed from the optical fiber.

The ultrasonic cleaning unit 30 is mounted on the base 1 and includes amain body 32 and a cleaning device 33. The cleaning device 33 has aconstruction in which a mounting cover 35 and a lid 36 are coupled tothe upper end of the container 34, which is installed in the main body32.

Cleaning water, which cleans the end of the optical fiber (R) after thesheathing has been removed from the optical fiber (R), is contained inthe container 34. Here, alcohol is mainly used as the cleaning water.

The mounting cover 35 is coupled to the container 34 and serves to firstcover the upper end of the container 34 which is open and is exposedfrom the main body 32. To removably attach the mounting cover 35 to thecontainer 34, the container 34 and the mounting cover 35 are coupled toeach other using a coupling screw. A mounting seat 31, into which afiber holder 3 holding the optical fiber (R) is seated, is formed at acentral portion in the mounting cover 35.

Here, the mounting cover 35 is constructed such that, when the fiberholder 3 is mounted to the mounting cover 35, a desired part of theoptical fiber is placed at a height appropriate to be immersed in thecleaning water. The mounting seat 31 has a rectangular shapecorresponding to the thickness, width, and length of the fiber holder 3.Of course, a through hole 37 is formed in the bottom of the mountingseat 31 such that the desired part of the optical fiber (R) can beimmersed in the cleaning water through the mounting cover 35.

Preferably, to accommodate several kinds and sizes of fiber holders 3,two or more mounting seats 31, having different thicknesses and widths,are radially formed at predetermined angular intervals around the centerof the through hole 37.

Furthermore, a sensor 35 a is provided at a predetermined position inthe mounting cover 35 or the main body 32, so that, when part of theuser's body contacts/approaches it to place the optical fiber or movesaway from it, ultrasonic cleaning operation is started or stopped inresponse to the sensor 35 a.

Here, the sensor 35 a is connected to a micro processor 62 in thecontrol unit 60 and is controlled with other components together by thecontrol unit.

Furthermore, the lid 36 is coupled to the mounting cover 35 to close themounting cover 35, which is open through the through hole 37 of themounting seat 31. The lid 36 is removably coupled to the mounting cover35 using a screw.

Here, O-rings 38 are interposed between the container 34 and themounting cover 35 and between the mounting cover 35 and the lid 36 so asto reliably seal the junctions. As shown in the drawings, the O-rings 38are respectively provided in the container 34 at the junction betweenthe container 34 and the mounting cover 35 and in the mounting cover 35at the junction between the mounting cover 35 and the lid 36.

In the ultrasonic cleaning unit 30 having the above-mentionedconstruction, the optical fiber (R) is coupled to the fiber holder 3,and, thereafter, the fiber holder 3 is seated in the mounting seat 31such that the part of the optical fiber (R) from which the sheathing hasbeen removed is immersed in the cleaning water. Then, the ultrasoniccleaning operation is conducted.

Furthermore, a drain passage, which communicates with the container 34,is formed in the base 1, so that the used cleaning water is dischargedoutside through the drain passage after the cleaning operation has beencompleted. As well, a valve 4, which opens/closes the drain passage tocontrol the discharge of the cleaning water, is provided in the base 1.

Thanks to this construction of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 30, thecontainer 34 is openably and reliably sealed, so that it can be stablycarried and moved even when cleaning water is stored in the container34. Therefore, the present invention can ensure the stability of theoptical fiber processing apparatus including the ultrasonic cleaningunit 30 when carrying and moving it. In the drawings, the referencenumeral 64 denotes an ultrasonic wave generator connected to the controlunit 60 of FIG. 11. Meanwhile, in place of the ultrasonic cleaning unit,a pump type or spray type cleaning unit, which conducts cleaningoperation in a manual manner, may be provided on the base. This alsofalls within the bounds of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing the optical fiber cuttingunit of the portable optical fiber processing apparatus according to thepresent invention.

The optical fiber cutting unit 40 includes a sliding cutter 43, which isprovided on a main body 41 and moves in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction of the optical fiber (R) to cut at an appropriateposition the portion of the optical fiber (R) from which the sheathinghas been stripped, and a cutting cover 44, which is coupled to the mainbody 41 by a hinge, moves the sliding cutter 43, and providescompression force when cutting the optical fiber (R).

The optical fiber cutting unit 40 was proposed in Korean PatentApplication No. 2003-26763 (entitled: optical fiber cutter), which wasfiled by the inventor of the present invention. In the optical fibercutting unit 40, after the optical fiber (R) is placed on the main body41, the sliding cutter 43 is moved merely by closing the cutting cover44, thus a desired portion of the optical fiber (R) is cut by thecompression force of the cutting cover 44.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view showing another embodiment of theoptical fiber cutting unit of the portable optical fiber processingapparatus according to the present invention.

In this case, the optical fiber cutting unit includes a cutting device40, a compression support unit 80 and a chip collection drive unit 90.The cutting device 40 includes a cutting main body 41 and a slidingcutter 43. The cutting main body 41 holds the optical fiber (R) on anupper surface thereof using a holding means. A cutting cover 44 iscoupled to the cutting main body 41 so as to be openable on a line whichlongitudinally extends from the held optical fiber (R).

In this embodiment, both a subsidiary cover 301, which is hinged to theupper surface of the cutting main body 41 to hold a first portion of theoptical fiber (R), and support members 302 and 304, which are providedunder the cutting cover 44 to hold a second portion of the optical fiber(R), are used as the holding means. In other words, the subsidiary cover301 and the support member 304 hold the first and second portions of theoptical fiber (R). For this, the subsidiary cover 301 and the supportmember 304 are provided at positions that are approximately parallel toeach other in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber (R).

Here, only one support member 304 may be provided, or, more preferably,several support members 304 may be provided at positions spaced apartfrom each other such that a pushing member 305 is placed therebetween.

The pushing member 305 strikes the optical fiber (R), which has beenscratched by a cutting blade, which will be explained later herein, thussubstantially cutting the optical fiber (R). The pushing member 305 isprovided under the cutting cover 44 such that the pushing member 305 iselastically biased downwards by a spring or the like. The cutting blade311 includes a blade body 309 and a reinforcing plate 310.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view showing the optical fiber cuttingunit including a chip collection unit according to the presentinvention. FIG. 11 is a right side view showing the compression supportunit and the chip collection drive unit of the optical fiber cuttingunit according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a plan view showingthe compression support unit and the chip collection drive unit of theoptical fiber cutting unit. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing onlythe compression support unit of the optical fiber cutting unit. FIG. 14is a perspective view showing only the chip collection drive unit of theoptical fiber cutting unit.

In the present invention, the chip collection unit 70 is coupled to aside of the optical fiber cutting unit 40 and serves to collect cutoptical fiber chips. That is, the chip collection unit 70 is coupled toa predetermined side portion of the optical fiber cutting unit 40 atwhich chips are generated, so that cut chips are collected in the chipcollection unit 70. Thereby, cut optical fiber chips are removed byoperation in conjunction with the cutting cover 44.

In detail, the chip collection unit 70 includes a chip collection mainbody 71, a chip collection container 72, the compression support unit 80and the chip collection drive unit 90. The chip collection main body 71is coupled to the main body of the optical fiber cutting unit 40 at apredetermined position at which optical fiber chips are generated. Here,the coupling of the chip collection main body 71 to the optical fibercutting unit is realized using a coupling means such as a bolt, suchthat it is removable.

The collection container 72 is removably provided in the chip collectionmain body 71 and is open at an upper end thereof, at which an end of theoptical fiber (R) is positioned such that it can be inserted into thecollection container 72.

The compression support unit 80 includes a compression cover 81, aconnection member 82 and a cam 83 which are provided in the chipcollection main body 71. The compression support unit 80 furtherincludes a striking member 84, which is coupled to the slide cutter 43of the optical fiber cutting unit 40.

The compression cover 81 is hinged at a first end thereof to the upperend of the chip collection main body 71, and a roller 85 is rotatablyprovided on a second end of the compression cover 81, so that the roller85 compresses the optical fiber (R).

The connection member 82 protrudes outside the upper end of the chipcollection main body 71 and is constructed such that an end thereof canbe advanced from and retracted into the chip collection main body 71.Furthermore, the connection member 82 includes a spring 86, which isprovided in the chip collection main body 71 such that it is biaseddownwards by elasticity of the spring 86.

The cam 83 is rotatably coupled at a first end thereof to a side (thebottom when viewed in the drawing) of the chip collection main body 71.A stop protrusion 87 is provided at a position adjacent to the slidingcutter 43, so that, when the striking member 84 contacts the stopprotrusion 87, drive force is generated. Furthermore, the cam 83 isenlarged in width at a second end thereof, and an inclined surface 88 isformed on the upper surface of the second end of the cam 83 so as tomove the connection member 82 upwards and downwards.

The striking member 84 comprises a pair of striking members, which areprovided on the sliding cutter 43 of the optical fiber cutting unit 40at positions adjacent to the sides of the cam 83 and are spaced apartfrom each other by a predetermined distance. Here, the striking members84 are spaced apart from each other by the predetermined distanceappropriate to rotate the cam 83 at a predetermined angle when onestriking member 84 strikes the stop protrusion 87 of the cam 83 bysliding motion of the sliding cutter 43 of the optical fiber cuttingunit 40.

The chip collection drive unit 90 includes a drive roller 91, a powertransmission mechanism 92 and a connection lever 93.

The drive roller 91 is mounted to the chip collection main body 71 at aposition facing the roller 85 of the compression cover 81. The driveroller 91 supports the lower portion of the optical fiber (R) and isrotatably provided to move a cut chip (meaning a scrap or waste materialto be discarded after being cut) of the optical fiber (R).

The power transmission mechanism 92 includes a pinion 94, which isprovided on the shaft of the drive roller 91, and a double crown gear95, which is rotatably coupled to the chip collection main body 71 toengage with the pinion 94, and is provided with a pinion 96 on thecoaxial shaft thereof. The power transmission mechanism 92 furtherincludes a spur gear 97, which is rotatably coupled to the chipcollection main body 71 to engage with the pinion 96 of the crown gear95.

The connection lever 93 is coupled at a first end thereof to a shaft 98,on which the spur gear 97 is provided, and is coupled at a second endthereof to the cutting cover 44 of the optical fiber cutting unit 40, sothat, when the cutting cover 44 is opened or closed, the connectionlever 93 is rotated in conjunction with the cutting cover 44.

In the chip collection unit 70, when the compression cover 81 is openedso that the roller 85 and the drive roller 91 enter the state of beingspaced apart from each other, the optical fiber (R) is placed on thedrive roller 91 (see, FIG. 14).

In this state, the cutting cover 44 of the optical fiber cutting unit 40is opened, and the optical fiber cutting unit 40 maintains the state ofbeing moved to the front position. At this time, the striking member 84of the sliding cutter 43 strikes the stop protrusion 87 of the cam 83and maintains the state of compressing it.

Furthermore, the connection member 82, which is in contact with the cam83, moves down the inclined surface 88 and maintains the state of FIG.12. Due to the downward movement of the connection member 82, the roller85 of the compression cover 81 pushes the cut chip of the optical fiberdownwards.

In this state, the chip of the optical fiber (R) maintains the state ofbeing compressed and held between the drive roller 91 and the roller 85.When the cutting cover 44 is rotated at a predetermined angle, theconnection lever 93 is rotated along with the cutting cover 44, so thatthe drive roller 91 is rotated.

In detail, the spur gear 97 is rotated by the rotation of the connectionlever 93. The pinion 96 and the crown gear 95, which is integrated withthe pinion 96, are rotated by the rotation of the spur gear 97. Thepinion gear 94, which is fitted over the same shaft as that of the driveroller 91, is rotated by the rotation of the crown gear 95. As a result,the drive roller 91 rotates and moves the chip of the optical fiber (R)towards the collection container 72, thus completing the chip collectionprocess.

Thereafter, when the cutting cover 44 of the optical fiber cutting unit40 is opened to conduct a subsequent process, the connection lever 93and the drive roller 91, which is coupled to the connection lever 93,are rotated. When the sliding cutter 43 is moved forwards by opening thecutting cover 44, the cam 83 is rotated by movement of the strikingmember 84. Thereby, the connection member 82 and the compression cover81 enter the initial state of FIG. 12 and remain that way.

The sliding cutter 43 is installed in the cutting main body 41 such thatit slides in the lateral direction of the optical fiber (R) along aslide slot 306, which is formed at a predetermined position in thecutting main body 41. The cutting blade 311, which is provided on theupper end of the sliding cutter 43, protrudes outside through the slideslot 306, which is formed in the cutting main body 41, so as to cut theoptical fiber (here, cutting the optical fiber means forming atemporarily cut state by scratching the optical fiber). The severalstriking members protrude from the side surface of the sliding cutter 43at positions spaced apart from each other. Of course, the strikingmembers are exposed outside through the slide slot 306.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing only the compression support unitof the optical fiber cutting unit according to the present invention.

The compression support unit 80 includes the chip collection main body71, the compression cover 81, the connection member 82 and the cam 83.

The chip collection main body 71 is coupled to the cutting main body 41at a position adjacent to the sliding cutter 43. The collectioncontainer 72, which receives and temporarily contains chips of opticalfibers (R), is removably placed in the chip collection main body 71.Here, the well known drawer type installation method may be used as amethod of removably installing the collection container 72.

As described above, the collection container 72 serves to collect chipsof the optical fibers (R). Therefore, the collection container 72 mustbe placed at a position corresponding to the end of the optical fiber(R) when viewed in the plan view, such that chips cut from the opticalfiber (R) can fall into the collection container 72.

The compression cover 81 is hinged at the first end thereof to the upperend of the chip collection main body 71 so as to openably close the chipcollection main body 71. The roller 85 is rotatably provided under thelower surface of the second end of the compression cover 81, so that theroller 85 compresses the upper part of the optical fiber (R).

The connection member 82 has an approximately longitudinal cylindricalshape, and the end thereof (the upper end when viewing the drawing)contacts the compression cover 81 above the chip collection main body71. Furthermore, the connection member 82 is elastically biaseddownwards by the spring 86, which is an elastic member provided in thechip collection main body 71.

The cam 83 has an approximately sectorial shape and is rotatably coupledto the chip collection main body 71. Here, the inclined surface 88,which moves the connection member 82 upwards and downwards, is formed onthe second end of the cam 83. As well, the stop protrusion 87, whichinterferes with the striking members 85 of the sliding cutter 43 asexplained above, is provided on the first end of the cam 83, so that thecam 83 is rotated by sliding movement of the sliding cutter 43.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing only the chip collection driveunit of the optical fiber cutting unit according to the presentinvention.

The power transmission mechanism of the chip collection drive unit canbe realized by various mechanical models based on a technique in whichthe drive roller 91 is rotated in conjunction with rotation of theconnection lever 93. Here, to accomplish the smallness of the volume ofthe optical fiber cutting unit and operational precision thereof, it ispreferable that the power transmission mechanism have the followingconstruction.

Preferably, the power transmission mechanism includes the pinion 94,which is provided on the shaft of the drive roller 91, the double crowngear 95, which is rotatably coupled to the chip collection main body toengage with the pinion 94 and is provided with the pinion 96 on thecoaxial shaft thereof, and a spur gear 97, which is rotatably coupled tothe chip collection main body 71 through the rotating shaft 98 to engagewith the pinion 96 of the crown gear 95.

Here, the rotating shaft 98 of the spur gear 97 is securely coupled tothe connection lever 93, so that the rotating shaft 98 is integrallyrotated along with the connection lever 93.

Meanwhile, preferably, the slide cutter 43 and the cutting cover 44 ofthe cutting unit, which have been described above, are operated inconjunction with each other, so as to realize a convenient cuttingprocess, in which the optical fiber (R) can be cut merely by closing thecutting cover 44, and so as to realize a convenient optical fiber chip(the part cut from the optical fiber) collecting process which isrealized by operational connection between the cutting cover 44 and thechip collection drive unit 90, operational connection between thesliding cutter 43 and the compression support unit 80 anddirect/indirect operational connection between the chip collection driveunit 90 and the compression support unit 80. In other words, the presentinvention is constructed such that the sliding cutter 43 and the cuttingcover 44 of the cutting unit 40 are operated in conjunction with eachother, and the chip collection drive unit 90 and the compression supportunit 80 are indirectly coupled to each other.

The chip collection drive unit 90 includes the drive roller 91, theconnection lever 93 and the power transmission mechanism 92. The driveroller 91 is mounted to the chip collection main body 71 at a positionfacing the roller 85 of the compression cover 81. Thus, the roller 85supports the upper portion of the optical fiber (R), and the driveroller 91 supports the lower portion of the optical fiber (R).

The connection lever 93 is coupled to the cutting cover 44 of thecutting unit 40, so that the connection lever 93 is rotated inconjunction with the cutting cover 44 depending on the rotation of thecutting cover 44. The power transmission mechanism couples the driveroller 91 to the connection lever 93, such that the drive roller 91 canbe rotated by rotation of the connection lever 93. FIG. 15 is aperspective view showing the external shape of the cutting blade of theoptical fiber cutting unit according to the present invention. FIG. 16is a side view of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a sectional view of FIG. 15.

The cutting blade of the present invention will be described on thebasis of FIG. 17. The cutting blade 323 includes the blade body 327,which has a disc shape and is made of synthetic diamond. An edge part324, which is reduced in thickness from the inside to the outside, isformed on the circumferential outer part of the blade body 327. Thecutting blade 323 further includes the reinforcing plate 325, which ismade of cemented carbide alloy and is bonded to one side surface of theblade body. Here, the reinforcing plate 325 is bonded to the surface ofthe blade body other than the edge part of the blade body.

As such, the cutting blade 323 includes the blade body 327 and thereinforcing plate 325. The blade body 327 has an approximate disc shape.The edge part is formed on the circumferential outer surface of theblade body 327 by inclining opposite sides of the center of the width(the thickness which is perpendicular to the diametrical direction). Inother words, the edge part is formed by reducing in thickness of theblade body 327 from the inside to the outer edge, thus forming a sharpedge.

In the present invention, the blade body 327 substantially contacts theoptical fiber (R) during the process of cutting the optical fiber (R).The blade body 327 must have high stiffness such that it is preventedfrom wearing and being damaged by repeated contact with the opticalfibers (R) Preferably, the blade body 327 is made of synthetic diamond.

Here, synthetic diamond, which is PCD (poly crystalline diamond) or PCBN(poly crystalline cubic boron nitride) and is made through a CVD(chemical vapor deposition) method, may be used as synthetic diamond forthe blade body 324.

Of them, in consideration of usefulness and price, the blade body 327 ispreferably made of PCD synthetic diamond.

The reinforcing plate 325 is attached to one surface of the blade body327 to reinforce the blade body 327. The outer edge part of thereinforcing plate 325 is inclined at the same angle as is the edge partof the blade body 327, so as to form a continuous shape. The reinforcingplate 325 having the above-mentioned structure is attached to onesurface of the blade body 327 other than the edge part of the blade body327.

Preferably, the reinforcing plate 325 is made of cemented carbide alloyincluding tungsten carbide (WC) and cobalt (Co). Thus, when thereinforcing plate 325 is attached to the blade body 327, cobalt, whichis contained in the cemented carbide alloy constituting the reinforcingplate 325, serves to hold the diamond of the blade body 327, so that thereinforcing plate 325 can be securely attached to the blade body 327.

Thanks to the above-mentioned structure of the cutting blade 323, theuse of expensive synthetic diamond can be markedly reduced while stillforming the desired width (the thickness) of the cutting blade 323.Furthermore, synthetic diamond is prevented from being damaged by othercomponents used for supporting the cutting blade 323.

Furthermore, a coupling hole 326 is formed through the center of thecutting blade 323. Through this, the cutting blade 323 is rotatablycoupled to the sliding cutter 43. That is, although not shown in thedrawings, a shaft, which is fastened to the sliding cutter 43, is fittedinto the coupling hole 326 of the cutting blade 323, thereby the cuttingblade 323 is rotatably coupled to the sliding cutter 43. As such,because the cutting blade 323 is rotatably coupled to the sliding cutter43, the portion of the cutting blade 323 that contacts the opticalfibers (R) can vary, thus extending the lifetime of the cutting blade323. Furthermore, after the portion of the cutting blade 323 thatcontacts the optical fiber (R) has been changed by rotating it, thecutting blade 323 must be fixed such that it is not further rotated. Forthis, a bolt (not shown) may be provided through the sliding cutter 43such that an end of the bolt is in close contact with the reinforcingplate 325 of the cutting blade 323. Then, the cutting blade 323 isprevented from undesirably rotating.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the cuttingblade of the optical fiber cutting unit according to the presentinvention.

In this embodiment, a cutting blade 329 includes a blade body 330 and asynthetic diamond layer 332. The blade body 330 is made of relativelyhard material, such as cemented carbide alloy or steel. Furthermore, theblade body 330 according to this embodiment has an approximate discshape and has on the circumferential outer part thereof an edge part328, which is reduced in thickness from the inside to the outer edge, inthe same manner as that of the blade body of the previous embodiment.

The synthetic diamond layer 332 is formed by depositing syntheticdiamond on the surface of the blade body 330 through a CVD (chemicalvapor deposition) method. In this embodiment, the synthetic diamondlayer 332 is formed on the entire surface of the blade body 330, but thesynthetic diamond layer 332 may be formed only on the edge part 328 ofthe blade body 330 which substantially contacts the optical fiber, thusreducing the cost of manufacturing the cutting blade.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 331 denotes a coupling hole,through which the cutting blade 329 is rotatably coupled to the slidingcutter 43, in the same manner as that of the previous embodiment. Thanksto this construction, the amount of synthetic diamond which is used inthe manufacture thereof can be reduced.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the welding unit of the portableoptical fiber processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the welding unit 50 includes a main body 51,which is provided at a predetermined position on the base 1, and awelding device 50, which is provided on the main body 51, so that, whentwo optical fibers (R), from which the sheathing has been stripped, andwhich have been cut, are placed such that the cut parts thereof face andcontact each other, the welding device welds the junction therebetween.The welding unit 50 comprises a sleeve processing unit 53, which isdisposed at a rear position on the main body 51, on which the weldingdevice is provided, so that the sleeve processing unit 53 conducts asleeve fitting process at the welded portions of the optical fibers (R).

The welding device 50 includes a pair of fiber mounting holders 54,which hold the respective optical fibers (R), and discharge electrodes55, which are provided between the fiber mounting holders 54 at oppositesides of the optical fibers (R) in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction of the optical fibers (R). When outside power isapplied to the welding device 50, an electric arc occurs between thedischarge electrodes 55. The junction portions between the opticalfibers (R) are welded to each other by this electric arc. In thedrawing, the reference character 59 a denotes a welding cover whichopenably covers the welding device, and the reference character 59 bdenotes a chamber for a sleeve fitting process.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the sleeve processing unit provided inthe welding unit of FIG. 19.

The sleeve processing unit 53 includes the chamber, which is defined inthe main body 51 so that the sleeve fitting operation is conducted inthe chamber, and a heating element 52, which is installed in the chamberto heat and weld the contraction sleeve 57. The contraction sleeve 57 isfitted over the welded junction part of the optical fiber (R) and isinserted into the chamber. Thereafter, the contraction sleeve 57 isheated by the heating element 52. Then, the contraction sleeve 57 iswelded to the outer surface of the optical fiber (R), thus protectingthe welded junction part of the optical fiber (R). As such, theabove-mentioned chamber is formed for conducting the process ofreinforcing the welded optical fiber.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of the control unit used in the portableoptical fiber processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the control unit 60 includes a key input unit61, which sets the control conditions of the sheathing stripping unit10, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 30 and the welding unit 50, and amicroprocessor 62, which is a control circuit that controls thecomponents according to the input signals. The control unit 60 furtherincludes a heater drive unit 63, which heats the heating block 20 of thesheathing stripping unit using the control signals of the microprocessor62 or using the input signals of the key input unit 61, the ultrasonicwave generator 64, which generates ultrasonic waves using the controlsignals of the microprocessor 62 or using the input signals of the keyinput unit 61, and a holder drive unit (not shown), which operates amotor (not shown) using the control signals of the microprocessor 62 orusing the input signals of the key input unit 61.

Furthermore, the control unit 60 further includes a welding drive unit68, which operates the welding devices of the welding unit 50 using thecontrol signals of the microprocessor 62 or using the input signals ofthe key input unit 61.

The control unit further includes a power supply unit 65, which suppliespower to the circuit, supplies power for operating the welding devices,supplies power required in a welding process, and supplies electricityto the heater drive unit 63, the ultrasonic wave generator 64 and themotor. The microprocessor has a memory 66, which stores the input andsettings, and a display unit 67, which displays operating conditions ofthe components.

A battery is used as the power supply unit 65 to ensure the portabilityof the apparatus. It is preferable that a rechargeable power supply unitbe used to reduce the expense required for batteries.

Meanwhile, a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) or an LCD (liquidcrystal display) may be used as the display unit 67. The display unit 67indicates the start and completion of the sheathing stripping process,the ultrasonic cleaning process, the cutting process and the sleevefitting process. In the case that the LEDs are used, the display unithas LEDs corresponding to the above-mentioned processes. The LEDs areconstructed such that they are turned on or off in response to the timethat the operation of the components is controlled by the microprocessor62. The LEDs indicates these control conditions as characters.

1. A portable optical fiber processing apparatus, comprising: a base,providing a space in which components for processing an optical fiberare installed; a sheathing stripping unit, comprising: a main bodymounted on the base, a holder to hold the optical fiber such that an endof the optical fiber protrudes a predetermined length therefrom, theholder sliding on the main body, and a removable unit, comprising aprotruding support body protruding from the main body, a stripping coverhinged to the protruding support body, and a stripping tool provided oneach of the protruding support body and the stripping cover at aposition corresponding to a position at which the protruding end of theoptical fiber is positioned between the protruding support body and thestripping cover, thus stripping sheathing from the end of the opticalfiber, the stripping tools having protrusions respectively provided onthe protruding support body and the stripping cover so as to be incontact with each other, and stripping blades provided in the respectiveprotrusions at positions facing each other, an optical fiber cuttingunit provided on the base, holding the optical fiber, and cutting aportion of the optical fiber, from which the sheathing is stripped,using a sliding cutter in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinaldirection of the optical fiber; wherein a distance at which thestripping blades are spaced apart from each other is within a range ofI₂≦L≦I₂+(li−I₂)/3, wherein L=distance between the stripping blades;Ii=thickness of the optical fiber including a sheathing layer; andI₂=thickness of the optical fiber other than the sheathing layer.
 2. Theoptical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an edgepart, which is reduced in thickness from an inside thereof to an outsidethereof, is formed on a circumferential outer part of a cutting blade,and the cutting blade comprises a disc-shaped blade body made ofsynthetic diamond.
 3. The portable optical fiber processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a cleaning unit provided onthe base to remove residue of the sheathing from the optical fiber, fromwhich the sheathing is stripped, using cleaning water contained in acontainer of the cleaning unit; and an optical fiber cutting unitprovided on the base, holding the optical fiber, and cutting a portionof the optical fiber, from which the sheathing is stripped, and which iscleaned, using a sliding cutter in a direction perpendicular to alongitudinal direction of the optical fiber.
 4. The optical fiberprocessing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a distance at whichthe stripping blades are spaced apart from each other is within a rangeof I₂≦L≦I₂+(li−I₂)/3, wherein L=distance between the stripping blades;and Ii=thickness of the optical fiber including a sheathing layer; andI₂=thickness of the optical fiber other than the sheathing layer.
 5. Theoptical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein theholder is coupled to a rail provided on the main body and is moved bysliding means, and the sliding means comprises a lever hinged at an endthereof to the main body so as to be rotatable around a hinge point, aslot formed in the lever at a position spaced apart from the hinge pointby a predetermined distance, and a coupling pin protruding from theholder and slidably coupled to the slot.
 6. The optical fiber processingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the holder is coupled to a railprovided on the main body and is moved by sliding means, and the slidingmeans comprises a motor installed in the main body, and a screw coupledboth to an output shaft of the motor and to the holder such that theoutput shaft of the motor and the holder are operated in conjunctionwith each other.
 7. The optical fiber processing apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein the sheathing stripping unit comprises: a strippingcover to heat an upper part of the optical fiber when the optical fiberis placed; and a sensor provided at a position facing the strippingcover at a predetermined position and constructed such that a time toheat the optical fiber is measured from when the stripping cover isclosed.
 8. The optical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 3,wherein a cut part of the optical fiber is moved into a collection mainbody while being held and compressed between a drive roller and a rollerin conjunction with the cover.
 9. The optical fiber processing apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein an edge part, which is reduced inthickness from an inside thereof to an outside thereof, is formed on acircumferential outer part of a cutting blade, and the cutting bladecomprises a disc-shaped blade body made of synthetic diamond.
 10. Theportable optical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: a welding unit provided on the base, the weldingunit placing each of a pair of optical fibers at opposite sides suchthat ends of the optical fibers face and contact each other, and weldingjunction portions of the optical fibers using an arc generated by awelding device of the welding unit.
 11. The portable optical fiberprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: acleaning unit provided on the base to remove residue of the sheathingfrom the optical fiber, from which the sheathing is stripped, usingcleaning water contained in a container of the cleaning unit; and awelding unit provided on the base, the welding unit placing each of apair of optical fibers at opposite sides such that ends of the opticalfibers face and contact each other, and welding junction portions of theoptical fibers using an arc generated by a welding device of the weldingunit.
 12. The portable optical fiber processing apparatus according toclaim 11, further comprising: a sleeve processing unit provided on thebase to fit a sleeve on the welded portions of the optical fibers. 13.The portable optical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: a welding unit provided on the base, the weldingunit placing each of a pair of optical fibers at opposite sides suchthat ends of the optical fibers face and contact each other, and weldingjunction portions of the optical fibers using an arc generated by awelding device of the welding unit; and a sleeve processing unitprovided on the base to fit a sleeve on the welded portions of theoptical fibers.
 14. The portable optical fiber processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a cleaning unit provided onthe base to remove residue of the sheathing from the optical fiber, fromwhich the sheathing is stripped, using cleaning water contained in acontainer of the cleaning unit.
 15. The portable optical fiberprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a weldingunit provided on the base, the welding unit placing each of a pair ofoptical fibers at opposite sides such that ends of the optical fibersface and contact each other, and welding junction portions of theoptical fibers using an arc generated by discharge electrodes of thewelding unit.
 16. The portable optical fiber processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a cleaning unit provided onthe base to remove residue of the sheathing from the optical fiber, fromwhich the sheathing is stripped, using cleaning water contained in acontainer of the cleaning unit; and a welding unit provided on the base,the welding unit placing each of a pair of optical fibers at oppositesides such that ends of the optical fibers face and contact each other,and welding junction portions of the optical fibers using an arcgenerated by a welding device of the welding unit.
 17. The portableoptical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 16, furthercomprising a sleeve processing unit provided on the base to fit a sleeveon the welded portions of the optical fibers.
 18. The portable opticalfiber processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: awelding unit provided on the base, the welding unit placing each of apair of optical fibers at opposite sides such that ends of the opticalfibers face and contact each other and welding junction portions of theoptical fibers using an arc generated by discharge electrodes of thewelding unit; and a sleeve processing unit provided on the base to fit asleeve on the welded portions of the optical fibers.
 19. The portableoptical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an optical fiber cutting unit provided on the base, holdingthe optical fiber, and cutting a portion of the optical fiber, fromwhich the sheathing is stripped, using a sliding cutter in a directionperpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber.
 20. Theportable optical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: an optical fiber cutting unit provided on the base,holding the optical fiber, and cutting a portion of the optical fiber,from which the sheathing is stripped, using a sliding cutter in adirection perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the opticalfiber; and a welding unit provided on the base, the welding unit placingeach of a pair of optical fibers at opposite sides such that ends of theoptical fibers face and contact each other and welding junction portionsof the optical fibers using an arc generated by discharge electrodes ofthe welding unit.
 21. A portable optical fiber processing apparatus,comprising: a base, providing a space in which components for processingan optical fiber are installed; a sheathing stripping unit, comprising:a main body mounted on the base, a holder to hold the optical fiber suchthat an end of the optical fiber protrudes a predetermined lengththerefrom, the holder sliding on the main body, and a removable unit,comprising a protruding support body protruding from the main body, astripping cover hinged to the protruding support body, and a strippingtool provided on each of the protruding support body and the strippingcover at a position corresponding to a position at which the protrudingend of the optical fiber is positioned between the protruding supportbody and the stripping cover, thus stripping sheathing from the end ofthe optical fiber, the stripping tools having protrusions respectivelyprovided on the protruding support body and the stripping cover so as tobe in contact with each other, and stripping blades provided in therespective protrusions at positions facing each other, an optical fibercutting unit provided on the base, holding the optical fiber, andcutting a portion of the optical fiber, from which the sheathing isstripped, using a sliding cutter in a direction perpendicular to alongitudinal direction of the optical fiber; wherein the holder iscoupled to a rail provided on the main body and is moved by slidingmeans, and the sliding means comprises a lever hinged at an end thereofto the main body so as to be rotatable around a hinge point, a slotformed in the lever at a position spaced apart from the hinge point by apredetermined distance, and a coupling pin protruding from the holderand slidably coupled to the slot.
 22. The portable optical fiberprocessing apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: a welding unitprovided on the base, the welding unit placing each of a pair of opticalfibers at opposite sides such that ends of the optical fibers face andcontact each other, and welding junction portions of the optical fibersusing an arc generated by discharge electrodes of the welding unit. 23.The portable optical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 21,further comprising: a welding unit provided on the base, the weldingunit placing each of a pair of optical fibers at opposite sides suchthat ends of the optical fibers face and contact each other and weldingjunction portions of the optical fibers using an arc generated bydischarge electrodes of the welding unit; and a sleeve processing unitprovided on the base to fit a sleeve on the welded portions of theoptical fibers.
 24. The portable optical fiber processing apparatusaccording to claim 21, further comprising: an optical fiber cutting unitprovided on the base, holding the optical fiber, and cutting a portionof the optical fiber, from which the sheathing is stripped, using asliding cutter in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal directionof the optical fiber.
 25. The portable optical fiber processingapparatus according to claim 21, further comprising: an optical fibercutting unit provided on the base, holding the optical fiber, andcutting a portion of the optical fiber, from which the sheathing isstripped, using a sliding cutter in a direction perpendicular to alongitudinal direction of the optical fiber; and a welding unit providedon the base, the welding unit placing each of a pair of optical fibersat opposite sides such that ends of the optical fibers face and contacteach other and welding junction portions of the optical fibers using anarc generated by discharge electrodes of the welding unit.
 26. Aportable optical fiber processing apparatus, comprising: a base,providing a space in which components for processing an optical fiberare installed; a sheathing stripping unit, comprising: a main bodymounted on the base, a holder to hold the optical fiber such that an endof the optical fiber protrudes a predetermined length therefrom, theholder sliding on the main body, and a removable unit, comprising aprotruding support body protruding from the main body, a stripping coverhinged to the protruding support body, and a stripping tool provided oneach of the protruding support body and the stripping cover at aposition corresponding to a position at which the protruding end of theoptical fiber is positioned between the protruding support body and thestripping cover, thus stripping sheathing from the end of the opticalfiber, the stripping tools having protrusions respectively provided onthe protruding support body and the stripping cover so as to be incontact with each other, and stripping blades provided in the respectiveprotrusions at positions facing each other, an optical fiber cuttingunit provided on the base, holding the optical fiber, and cutting aportion of the optical fiber, from which the sheathing is stripped,using a sliding cutter in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinaldirection of the optical fiber; wherein the holder is coupled to a railprovided on the main body and is moved by sliding means, and the slidingmeans comprises a motor installed in the main body, and a screw coupledboth to an output shaft of the motor and to the holder such that theoutput shaft of the motor and the holder are operated in conjunctionwith each other.
 27. The portable optical fiber processing apparatus ofclaim 26, further comprising: a welding unit provided on the base, thewelding unit placing each of a pair of optical fibers at opposite sidessuch that ends of the optical fibers face and contact each other, andwelding junction portions of the optical fibers using an arc generatedby discharge electrodes of the welding unit.
 28. The portable opticalfiber processing apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising: awelding unit provided on the base, the welding unit placing each of apair of optical fibers at opposite sides such that ends of the opticalfibers face and contact each other and welding junction portions of theoptical fibers using an arc generated by discharge electrodes of thewelding unit; and a sleeve processing unit provided on the base to fit asleeve on the welded portions of the optical fibers.
 29. The portableoptical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 26, furthercomprising: an optical fiber cutting unit provided on the base, holdingthe optical fiber, and cutting a portion of the optical fiber, fromwhich the sheathing is stripped, using a sliding cutter in a directionperpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber.
 30. Theportable optical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 26,further comprising: an optical fiber cutting unit provided on the base,holding the optical fiber, and cutting a portion of the optical fiber,from which the sheathing is stripped, using a sliding cutter in adirection perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the opticalfiber; and a welding unit provided on the base, the welding unit placingeach of a pair of optical fibers at opposite sides such that ends of theoptical fibers face and contact each other and welding junction portionsof the optical fibers using an arc generated by discharge electrodes ofthe welding unit.
 31. A portable optical fiber processing apparatus,comprising: a base, providing a space in which components for processingan optical fiber are installed; a sheathing stripping unit, comprising:a main body mounted on the base, a holder to hold the optical fiber suchthat an end of the optical fiber protrudes a predetermined lengththerefrom, the holder sliding on the main body, and a removable unit,comprising a protruding support body protruding from the main body, astripping cover hinged to the protruding support body, and a strippingtool provided on each of the protruding support body and the strippingcover at a position corresponding to a position at which the protrudingend of the optical fiber is positioned between the protruding supportbody and the stripping cover, thus stripping sheathing from the end ofthe optical fiber, the stripping tools having protrusions respectivelyprovided on the protruding support body and the stripping cover so as tobe in contact with each other, and stripping blades provided in therespective protrusions at positions facing each other, an optical fibercutting unit provided on the base, holding the optical fiber, andcutting a portion of the optical fiber, from which the sheathing isstripped, using a sliding cutter in a direction perpendicular to alongitudinal direction of the optical fiber; wherein the sheathingstripping unit comprises: a stripping cover to heat an upper part of theoptical fiber when the optical fiber is placed; and a sensor provided ata position facing the stripping cover at a predetermined position andconstructed such that a time to heat the optical fiber is measured fromwhen the stripping cover is closed.
 32. The portable optical fiberprocessing apparatus of claim 31, further comprising: a welding unitprovided on the base, the welding unit placing each of a pair of opticalfibers at opposite sides such that ends of the optical fibers face andcontact each other, and welding junction portions of the optical fibersusing an arc generated by discharge electrodes of the welding unit. 33.The portable optical fiber processing apparatus according to claim 31,further comprising: a welding unit provided on the base, the weldingunit placing each of a pair of optical fibers at opposite sides suchthat ends of the optical fibers face and contact each other and weldingjunction portions of the optical fibers using an arc generated bydischarge electrodes of the welding unit; and a sleeve processing unitprovided on the base to fit a sleeve on the welded portions of theoptical fibers.
 34. The portable optical fiber processing apparatusaccording to claim 31, further comprising: an optical fiber cutting unitprovided on the base, holding the optical fiber, and cutting a portionof the optical fiber, from which the sheathing is stripped, using asliding cutter in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal directionof the optical fiber.
 35. The portable optical fiber processingapparatus according to claim 31, further comprising: an optical fibercutting unit provided on the base, holding the optical fiber, andcutting a portion of the optical fiber, from which the sheathing isstripped, using a sliding cutter in a direction perpendicular to alongitudinal direction of the optical fiber; and a welding unit providedon the base, the welding unit placing each of a pair of optical fibersat opposite sides such that ends of the optical fibers face and contacteach other and welding junction portions of the optical fibers using anarc generated by discharge electrodes of the welding unit.
 36. Aportable optical fiber processing apparatus, comprising: a base,providing a space in which components for processing an optical fiberare installed; a sheathing stripping unit, comprising: a main bodymounted on the base, a holder to hold the optical fiber such that an endof the optical fiber protrudes a predetermined length therefrom, theholder sliding on the main body, and a removable unit, comprising aprotruding support body protruding from the main body, a stripping coverhinged to the protruding support body, and a stripping tool provided oneach of the protruding support body and the stripping cover at aposition corresponding to a position at which the protruding end of theoptical fiber is positioned between the protruding support body and thestripping cover, thus stripping sheathing from the end of the opticalfiber, the stripping tools having protrusions respectively provided onthe protruding support body and the stripping cover so as to be incontact with each other, and stripping blades provided in the respectiveprotrusions at positions facing each other; and an optical fiber cuttingunit provided on the base, holding the optical fiber, and cutting aportion of the optical fiber, from which the sheathing is stripped,using a sliding cutter in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinaldirection of the optical fiber, wherein a cut part of the optical fiberis moved into a collection main body while being held and compressedbetween a drive roller and a roller in conjunction with the cover. 37.The portable optical fiber processing apparatus of claim 36, furthercomprising: a welding unit provided on the base, the welding unitplacing each of a pair of optical fibers at opposite sides such thatends of the optical fibers face and contact each other, and weldingjunction portions of the optical fibers using an arc generated bydischarge electrodes of the welding unit.
 38. The portable optical fiberprocessing apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising: awelding unit provided on the base, the welding unit placing each of apair of optical fibers at opposite sides such that ends of the opticalfibers face and contact each other and welding junction portions of theoptical fibers using an arc generated by discharge electrodes of thewelding unit; and a sleeve processing unit provided on the base to fit asleeve on the welded portions of the optical fibers.